Entomology Commons^™

Selection Of Reference Genes For Expression Analysis Using Quantitative Real-Time Pcr In The Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon Pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera, Aphidiae), Chunxiao Yang, Huipeng Pan, Yong Liu, Xuguo Zhou

Entomology Faculty Publications

To facilitate gene expression study and obtain accurate qRT-PCR analysis, normalization relative to stable expressed housekeeping genes is required. In this study, expression profiles of 11 candidate reference genes, including actin (Actin), elongation factor 1 α (EF1A), TATA-box-binding protein (TATA), ribosomal protein L12 (RPL12), β-tubulin (Tubulin), NADH dehydrogenase (NADH), vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (v-ATPase), succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S), 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S) from the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, …

A Cross-Seasonal Perspective On Local Adaptation: Metabolic 1 Plasticity Mediates Responses To Winter In A Thermal-2 Generalist Moth, Brent J. Sinclair, Caroline M. Williams, Wesley D. Chick

Biology Publications

No abstract provided.

Novel Mutations And Mutation Combinations Of Ryanodine Receptor In A Chlorantraniliprole Resistant Population Of Plutella Xylostella (L.), Lei Guo, Pei Liang, Xuguo Zhou, Xiwu Gao

Entomology Faculty Publications

A previous study documented a glycine to glutamic acid mutation (G4946E) in ryanodine receptor (RyR) was highly correlated to diamide insecticide resistance in field populations of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). In this study, a field population collected in Yunnan province, China, exhibited a 2128-fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole. Sequence comparison between resistant and susceptible P. xylostella revealed three novel mutations including a glutamic acid to valine substitution (E1338D), a glutamine to leucine substitution (Q4594L) and an isoleucine to methionine substitution (I4790M) in highly conserved regions of RyR. Frequency analysis of all four mutations in this field population showed that the three …

Spiroacetals In The Colonization Behaviour Of The Coffee Berry Borer: A 'Push-Pull' System, Teresiah Nyambura Njihia, Juliana Jaramillo, Lucy Murungi, Dickson Mwenda, Benedict Orindi, Hans Michael Poehling, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Coffee berries are known to release several volatile organic compounds, among which is the spiroacetal, conophthorin, an attractant for the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei. Elucidating the effects of other spiroacetals released by coffee berries is critical to understanding their chemo-ecological roles in the host discrimination and colonization process of the coffee berry borer, and also for their potential use in the management of this pest. Here, we show that the coffee berry spiroacetals frontalin and 1,6-dioxaspiro [4.5] decane (referred thereafter as brocain), are also used as semiochemicals by the coffee berry borer for host colonization. Bioassays and chemical analyses …

Ant Colonies Prefer Infected Over Uninfected Nest Sites, Luigi Pontieri, Svjetlana Vojvodic, Riley Graham, Jes Søe Pedersen, Timothy A. Linksvayer

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

During colony relocation, the selection of a new nest involves exploration and assessment of potential sites followed by colony movement on the basis of a collective decision making process. Hygiene and pathogen load of the potential nest sites are factors worker scouts might evaluate, given the high risk of epidemics in group-living animals. Choosing nest sites free of pathogens is hypothesized to be highly efficient in invasive ants as each of their introduced populations is often an open network of nests exchanging individuals (unicolonial) with frequent relocation into new nest sites and low genetic diversity, likely making these species particularly …

Nebline, November/December 2014

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Eight Legged Encounters, Eileen A. Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

This program was funded in part by a National Science Foundation grant (DRL–1241482 to EAH). Material was developed in collaboration with Marie- Claire Chelini, Jessie Rose Storz, Cody Storz, and Malcolm Rosenthal. Steven Schwartz, Jason Stafstrom, Kathy French, Priscilla Grew, and Judy Diamond were all extremely helpful in grant writing, facilitating the first live event, and/or discussions. Pawl Tisdale (artist) was phenomenal to work with on all aspects of the project!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CLASSIFICATION & TAXONOMY STATIONS
I. WHAT IS AN ARTHROPOD? page 4 a. The goal of this station is to introduce the audience to some basic information …

Validation Of Reference Housekeeping Genes For Gene Expression Studies In Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera), Thaís Barros Rodrigues, Chitvan Khajuria, Haichuan Wang, Natalie Matz, Danielle Cunha Cardoso, Fernando Hercos Valicente, Xuguo Zhou, Blair Siegfried

Entomology Faculty Publications

Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a powerful technique to investigate comparative gene expression. In general, normalization of results using a highly stable housekeeping gene (HKG) as an internal control is recommended and necessary. However, there are several reports suggesting that regulation of some HKGs is affected by different conditions. The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a serious pest of corn in the United States and Europe. The expression profile of target genes related to insecticide exposure, resistance, and RNA interference has become an important experimental technique for study of western corn rootworms; however, lack …

Effects Of Endophyte Colonization Of Vicia Faba (Fabaceae) Plants On The Life-History Of Leafminer Parasitoids Phaedrotoma Scabriventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) And Diglyphus Isaea (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Komivi S. Akutse, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Sunday Ekesi, Nguya K. Maniania

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Effects of the fungal endophytes Beauveria bassiana (isolates ICIPE 279, G1LU3, S4SU1) and Hypocrea lixii (isolate F3ST1) on the life-history of Phaedrotoma scabriventris and Diglyphus isaea, parasitoids of the pea leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis, were studied in the laboratory. Parasitoids were allowed to parasitize 2nd and 3rd instar L. huidobrensis larvae reared on endophytically-inoculated faba bean, Vicia faba . In the control, parasitoids were reared on non-inoculated host plants. Parasitism, pupation, adult emergence and survival were recorded. No significant difference was observed between the bcontrol and the endophyte-inoculated plants in terms of parasitism rates of P. scabriventris (p = 0.68) and …

White Fringetree, Chionanthus Virginicus, As A Novel Larval Host For Emerald Ash Boer, Don Cipollini

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Emerald ash borer is an invasive Asian pest of ash species in North America. All North American species of ash tested so far are susceptible to it, but there are no published reports of this insect developing fully in non-ash hosts in the field in North America. I report here evidence that EAB can attack and complete development in white fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus L., a species native to the southeastern U.S. that is also planted ornamentally.

Editorial Overview: Environmental Physiology: Insect Environmental Physiology, Brent J. Sinclair

Biology Publications

No abstract provided.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 26, No. 5, October 2014

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Content: Welcome - Publications - Faculty News - Meeting an Off-Campus Student - Grants and Other Funding - Bruner Club News - Student News - Travel - BUGFEST Success

Management Of Bacterial Wilt On Muskmelon Using Actigard, Fawzia Mumtaz

Open Access Theses

Bacterial wilt of muskmelon caused by Erwinia trachephila (E.F. Smith), is one of the most important diseases of cucurbits, particularly muskmelon, in the world. This pathogen is transmitted by the striped cucumber beetle,Accalyma vittatum (F.), and causes serious economic losses in fruit yield and quality. Control of this disease is usually accomplished by applying insecticides to kill the beetles before disease transmission occurs. The goal of this study was to reduce the bacterial wilt incidence or beetle feeding on muskmelon using an alternative control method, the plant activator acibenzolar-S-methyl (Actigard) ® . The potential for using acibenzolar-S-methyl as a …

Potential Impact Of Neonicotinoid Insecticides On Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera) In Muskmelon Production, Kira L. Nixon

Open Access Theses

Honey bees (Apis mellifera ) provide pollination services to many agricultural crops, including cucurbits. Neonicotinoids are commonly applied to cucurbits where honey bee colonies are often rented for sufficient pollination and proper fruit set. The goals of this study were to determine the potential impact of neonicotinoid residues on honey bees in muskmelon production and to determine the extent and duration of striped cucumber beetle control among treatments. The neonicotinoids evaluated were imidacloprid and its metabolites imidacloprid olefin and 5-hydroxyimidacloprid, thiamethoxam and its metabolite clothianidin, and acetamiprid. Thiamethoxam applied as a FarMore ® seed treatment resulted in a highest …

Suitability Of Blue Ash (Fraxinus Quadrangulata) And Green Ash (F. Pennsylvanica) To Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis) And Its Larval Parasitoid Tetrastichus Planipennisi., Donnie "L. " Peterson

Open Access Theses

Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis ) is a primary pest that has killed tens of millions of North American ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. The larval parasitoid Tetrastichus planipennisi was introduced from China as part of a classical biological control program for long-term EAB management. The high mortality rates of ash trees greatly reduce the number of EAB hosts and may make it difficult for parasitoids to persist. However, blue ash ( F. quadrangulata ) is relatively resistant and appears to be able to survive EAB infestation. If natural enemies can attack EAB in infested blue ash they …

Nebline, October 2014

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Dangerous Mating Systems: Signal Complexity, Signal Content And Neural Capacity In Spiders, Marie E. Herberstein, Anne E. Wignall, Eileen Hebets, Jutta M. Schneider

Eileen Hebets Publications

Spiders are highly efficient predators in possession of exquisite sensory capacities for ambushing prey, combined with machinery for launching rapid and determined attacks. As a consequence, any sexually motivated approach carries a risk of ending up as prey rather than as a mate. Sexual selection has shaped courtship to effectively communicate the presence, identity, motivation and/or quality of potential mates, which help ameliorate these risks. Spiders communicate this information via several sensory channels, including mechanical (e.g. vibrational), visual and/or chemical, with examples of multimodal signaling beginning to emerge in the literature. The diverse environments that spiders inhabit have further shaped …

Multimodal Sensory Reliance In The Nocturnal Homing Of The Amblypygid Phrynus Pseudoparvulus (Class Arachnida, Order Amblypygi)?, Eileen A. Hebets, Alfonso Aceves-Aparicio, Samuel Aguilar-Argüello, Verner P. Bingman, Ignacio Escalante, Eben J. Gering, David R. Nelson, Jennifer Rivera, José Ángel Sánchez-Ruiz, Laura Segura-Hernández, Virginia Settepani, Daniel D. Wiegmann, Jay A. Stafstrom

Eileen Hebets Publications

Like many other nocturnal arthropods, the amblypygid Phrynus pseudoparvulus is capable of homing. The environment through which these predators navigate is a dense and heterogeneous tropical forest understory and the mechanism(s) underlying their putatively complex navigational abilities are presently unknown. This study explores the sensory inputs that might facilitate nocturnal navigation in the amblypygid P. pseudoparvulus. Specifically, we use sensory system manipulations in conjunction with field displacements to examine the potential involvement of multimodal—olfactory and visual—stimuli in P. pseudoparvulus’ homing behavior. In a first experiment, we deprived individuals of their olfactory capacity and displaced them to the opposite side of …

Stability, Bifurcation And Chaos Analysis Of Vector-Borne Disease Model With Application To Rift Valley Fever, Sansao A. Pedro, Shirley Abelman, Frank T. Ndjomatchoua, Rosemary Sang, Henri E.Z. Tonnang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This paper investigates a RVF epidemic model by qualitative analysis and numerical simulations. Qualitative analysis have been used to explore the stability dynamics of the equilibrium points while visualization techniques such as bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré maps, maxima return maps and largest Lyapunov exponents are numerically computed to confirm further complexity of these dynamics induced by the seasonal forcing on the mosquitoes oviposition rates. The obtained results show that ordinary differential equation models with external forcing can have rich dynamic behaviour, ranging from bifurcation to strange attractors which may explain the observed fluctuations found in RVF empiric outbreak data, as well …

Microclimate Modification And Insect Pest Exclusion Using Agronet Improve Pod Yield And Quality Of French Bean, Elisha Otieno Gogo, Mwanarusi Saidi, Jacob Mugwa Ochieng, Thibaud Martin, Vance Baird, Mathieu Ngouajio

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

French bean [Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)] is among the leading export vegetable in Africa, mostly produced by small-scale farmers. Unfavorable environmental conditions and heavy infestations by insect pests are among the major constraints limiting production of the crop. Most French bean producers grow their crop in open fields outdoors subject to harsh environmental conditions and repeatedly spray insecticides in a bid to realize high yield. This has led to rejection of some of the produce at the export market as a result of stringent limits on maximum residue levels. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton …

The Role Of Chemical Attractants In The Use Of Tick Traps For Life Stages Of Tick Species Ixodes Scapularis, Dermacentor Variabilis And Amblyomma Maculatum, Pamela C. Kelman

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Amblyomma maculatum, Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis are three of the hard-bodied ticks found in the United States. This study explored three aspects of the appetence process of these tick species: attraction, desiccation survival, and locomotive activity. The first portion of this work was to improve one of the standard methods used for collecting ticks from the environment, the tick trap. To determine the attractants needed to capture all life stages of the three chosen species of ticks in the field using tick traps, a series of experiments were conducted using laboratory-reared larval, nymphal and adult A. maculatum, I. scapularis …

Structural Characterization Of Nanofiber Silk Produced By Embiopterans (Webspinners), J. Bennett Addison, Thomas M. Osborn Popp, Warner S. Weber, Janice Edgerly-Rooks, Gregory P. Holland, Jeffery L. Yarger

Biology

Embiopterans produce silken galleries and sheets using exceptionally fine silk fibers in which they live and breed. In this study, we use electron microscopy (EM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) techniques to elucidate the molecular level protein structure of webspinner (embiid) silks. Silks from two species Antipaluria urichi and Aposthonia ceylonica are studied in this work. Electron microscopy images show that the fibers are about 90–100 nm in diameter, making webspinner silks among the finest of all known animal silks. Structural studies reveal that the silk protein core is dominated …

De Novo Transcriptome Of The Hemimetabolous German Cockroach (Blattella Germanica), Xiaojie Zhou, Kun Qian, Ying Tong, Junwei Jerry Zhu, Xinghui Qiu, Xiaopeng Zeng

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Background: The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is an important insect pest that transmits various pathogens mechanically and causes severe allergic diseases. This insect has long served as a model system for studies of insect biology, physiology and ecology. However, the lack of genome or transcriptome information heavily hinder our further understanding about the German cockroach in every aspect at a molecular level and on a genome-wide scale. To explore the transcriptome and identify unique sequences of interest, we subjected the B. germanica transcriptome to massively parallel pyrosequencing and generated the first reference transcriptome for B. germanica.

Methodology/Principal Findings: A …

Colonization Of Onions By Endophytic Fungi And Their Impacts On The Biology Of Thrips Tabaci, Alexander M. Muvea, Rainer Meyhöfer, Sevgan Subramanian, Hans Michael Poehling, Sunday Ekesi, Nguya K. Maniania

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Endophytic fungi, which live within host plant tissues without causing any visible symptom of infection, are important mutualists that mediate plant-herbivore interactions. Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) is one of the key pests of onion, Allium cepa L., an economically important agricultural crop cultivated worldwide. However, information on endophyte colonization of onions, and their impacts on the biology of thrips feeding on them, is lacking. We tested the colonization of onion plants by selected fungal endophyte isolates using two inoculation methods. The effects of inoculated endophytes on T. tabaci infesting onion were also examined. Seven fungal endophytes used in our study were …

Predicting The Impact Of Climate Change On Regional And Seasonal Abundance Of The Mealybug Phenacoccus Solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Using Temperature-Driven Phenology Model Linked To Gis, Babasaheb B. Fand, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Mahesh Kumar, Santanu K. Bal, Naveen P. Singh, D. V.K.N. Rao, Ankush L. Kamble, Dhananjay D. Nangare, Paramjit S. Minhas

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a highly invasive and polyphagous pest of global incidence. The fundamental hypothesis of the present study was that the temperature variations due to global climate change may affect seriously the future distribution and abundance of P. solenopsis, which might further aggravate the crop yield losses. We employed a temperature-based phenology model of P. solenopsis in a geographic information system for mapping population growth potentials of P. solenopsis. The three risk indices viz., establishment risk index, generation index and activity index were computed using interpolated temperature data from worldclim database for current (2000) …

Field Evaluation Of Natural Human Odours And The Biogent-Synthetic Lure In Trapping Aedes Aegypti, Vector Of Dengue And Chikungunya Viruses In Kenya, Eunice A. Owino, Rosemary Sang, Catherine L. Sole, Christian Pirk, Charles Mbogo, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Methods currently used in sampling adult Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses are limited for effective surveillance of the vector and accurate determination of the extent of virus transmission during outbreaks and inter - epidemic periods. Here, we document the use of natural human skin odours in baited traps to improve sampling of adult Ae. aegypti in two different endemic areas of chikungunya and dengue in Kenya - Kilifi and Busia Counties. The chemistry of the volatiles released from human odours and the Biogent (BG)-commercial lure were also compared.

Vector Competence Of Aedes Aegypti Populations From Kilifi And Nairobi For Dengue 2 Virus And The Influence Of Temperature, Edith Chepkorir, Joel Lutomiah, James Mutisya, Francis Mulwa, Konongoi Limbaso, Benedict Orindi, Zipporah Ng'ang'a, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Susceptibility of Ae. aegypti mosquito to dengue virus (DENV) varies geographically and can be influenced by climatic factors such as temperature, which affect the incidence, seasonality and distribution of vector-borne diseases. The first outbreak of dengue fever (DF) in Kenya occured in 1982 in the coastal towns of Malindi and Kilifi. Unlike Nairobi where no active dengue transmission has been reported, DF is currently re-emerging at the Coast causing major outbreaks. This study investigated the vector competence of Ae. aegypti populations from two urban areas, Kilifi (Coast of Kenya) and Nairobi (Central Kenya), for DEN-2 virus and the influence …

Organic Treatments For Control Of Pepper Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Karla M. Addesso, Philip A. Stansly, Barry C. Kostyk, Heather J. Mcauslane

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of pepper (Capsicum spp.; Solanales: Solanaceae) in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Feeding and oviposition cause flower and fruit abscission and internal fruit damage resulting in serious yield losses. Females lay eggs in flower buds and small fruits, shielding larvae from contact pesticides, leaving only the adult stage vulnerable. The purpose of this study was to investigate low-risk and organic products for use against the pepper weevil to provide both organic and conventional growers with more control options. A neem product (Ecozin® …

Nebline, September 2014

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Influence Of Resource Levels, Organic Compounds And Laboratory Colonization On Interspecific Competition Between The Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes Albopictus (Stegomyia Albopicta) And The Southern House Mosquito Culex Quinquefasciatus, D.W. Allgood, Donald A. Yee

Faculty Publications

The mosquitoes Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) (Skuse) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) are common inhabitants of tyres and other artificial containers, which constitute important peridomestic mosquito breeding habitats. We tested the hypotheses that interspecific resource competition between the larvae of these species is asymmetrical, that the concentration of chemicals associated with decomposing detritus affects the competitive outcomes of these species, and that wild and colonized strains of Cx. quinquefasciatus are affected differently by competition with Ae. albopictus. We conducted two laboratory competition experiments wherein we measured survivorship and estimated population growth (λ′) in both species under …